The promise of the California Coastal Act—to maintain public access to the Pacific Coast—is challenged by the extreme costs of coastal property. A new plan aims to put vacations and overnight stays on the coast in reach for more Californians.
Jill Replogle reports on the "Explore the Coast Overnight" plan, released recently in its first draft assessment by the California State Coastal Conservancy. The plan is designed to make it more affordable for Californians to access the coast for overnight stays.
The draft assessment analyses "the state of lower-cost lodging along the coast, and [plots] out a path for expanding it and breaking down the barriers that keep lower-income households and communities of color from using it.
As noted by Replogle, this approach to upholding the promises of the California Coastal Act differs from the familiar stories about litigation and discretionary hearings about maintaining coastal access with hiking trails, parking, and open gates. Questions of affordability are much less frequently made public, and with unfortunate consequences. A "survey commissioned by the Coastal Conservancy found that young people, people of color, lower-income households and families with children are less likely to stay overnight at the beach," according to Replogle.
The article includes a lot of information about how to access the beach on a budget right now, thanks to the information gathered in the new draft assessment.
FULL STORY: You, Cash-Strapped Californian, Are Entitled To A Beach Vacation. Here's How That Could Happen
The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.
Opinion: To Increase Equity, Make Buses Free
With buses as a dominant transport mode for low-income households and "essential workers," free fares would increase access to economic opportunities and free up limited income for cash-strapped commuters.
Richmond Bus Redesign Faces Equity Complaints
Residents charge the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) with making service worse for low income residents.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research